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ProtéJ is a new entrepreneur mentorship program, which will be the first formal effort to support Jewish start-up entrepreneurs in Atlanta.

The ProtéJ program will support the thriving and vibrant community of “Indie Innovators” that, up until now, has had no formal program to promote and support innovation or “start-up” efforts. This group of social entrepreneurs who lead new ventures that benefit the Jewish community, are ripe for mentorship and professional development; this program will meet those needs.

By matching the “Indie Innovators” with mentors who have outstanding business and leadership experience, broad social networks, time and passion to give to mentees, and the desire to enhance the Jewish community of Atlanta, these “start-up” venture’s founders and owners will learn valuable skills, make new connections, and, in turn, will be better suited to impact our Jewish community.

The first year of the ProtéJ program will see at least four innovators matched with mentors.



Learning from Ruthie Rotenberg by Chaim Neidtich

I had the distinct privilege of meeting with Ruth Rotenberg of the Jewish Funders Network at an event organized by Jennie Rivlin Roberts through the Jewish Federation's Protej program.

Ruth spoke about various topics for Jewish entrepreneurs with nonprofit ventures. She shared insights into nonprofit operations including strategies for growth, collaboration, and philanthropy. The discussion I found most fascinating was about philanthropic choices. According to Ruth, most Jews are donating. However, many of these Jewish donors are supporting secular organizations that align with their Jewish values, rather than supporting distinctly Jewish organizations.

My first thought was awe at the generosity of the Jewish people.  Despite our affiliations and observances or lack thereof, Jewish people have maintained an innate kindness, compassion, and desire to be charitable.  We as a People are always on the forefront of giving and helping those in need. Secondly, I was moved to hear that Jewish donors view their giving through a Jewish lens regardless of whether the beneficiary is a Jewish recipient.

The discussion with Ruth left the group contemplating the state of Jewish philanthropy: What is causing so many Jewish donors to support secular organizations instead of Jewish ones? What are Jewish organizations doing or not doing to contribute to this phenomenon?  Is there a difference between supporting causes that align with Jewish values and supporting actual Jewish organizations?  Is this something that needs to be addressed?  What can Jewish organizations do to gain donors’ support? It seems to me that we, as Jewish organizations, are being presented with an opportunity to look introspectively and perform self-assessments.

Ruth raised another valuable point that is particularly applicable to Jewish startups.  She spoke about collaboration.  Ruth explained that she often sees visionaries start their own organizations, even for small projects. The administrative costs and time required to operate these new organizations detract funds and time from the projects they hope to accomplish. Ruth suggested that a more effective model might be for visionaries with new projects to partner with like-minded existing organizations. Many larger organizations would be happy to adopt a project, and allow the funds to be run through their organization. It's a win-win-win: The founders of a new project are able to avoid the legal start-up costs, personnel salaries, and the drain on their time needed to manage backend operations.  They can instead fully focus their attention on their project. Larger organizations, can also benefit by furthering their mission and having another successfully funded project under their banner all for the small cost of some personnel time. The recipients of the project win as well. They benefit from having more of the available funds devoted to the project rather than overhead, as well as more time from the founders devoted to project execution than to backend operations.

I found both of these topics interesting. If anyone would like to discuss these ideas further, feel free to message me.

Posted by: jroberts (September 19, 2012 at 1:52 PM) | Comments (0) |


Ruthie Rotenberg from Jewish Funders Network Joined Us For LimmudFest

We are so fortunate to have recruited Ruthie Rotenberg of Jewish Funders Network to join us for LimmudFest over Labor Day Weekend. As part of ProtéJ, we are charged with providing learning experiences for the participating entrepreneurs and also for the Atlanta Jewish community.

Over the weekend, we engaged with 30 community members as participants in Ruthie's sessions, described below. Dozens of other conversations took place over the weekend between sessions, where much of the relationship building takes place at LimmudFest.

In addition, Ruthie offered her counsel and expertise to Wexner and JFGA at the Selig Center, Friday morning before LimmudFest. There she helped both these groups think about ways to financially support innovation in Atlanta.

Thank you, Ruthie for becoming part of our network to support entrepreneurism and new ideas in Atlanta!

RUTHIE ROTENBERG

Ruthie is the Director of Peer Networks and Strategic Relationships at JFN, where she works with area-specific funder networks, organizes engaging learning opportunities for funders, and seeks out interesting partnership opportunities for JFN. Before coming to JFN, Ruthie spent a year in Israel as a Jerusalem Fellow at the Mandel Leadership Institute where she completed a yearlong project related to the satisfaction of American Jewish philanthropists. Prior to the fellowship, Ruthie lived in Los Angeles and was the founding Executive Director of LimmudLA. She has also held positions at Hillel International and YUSSR and currently serves on the steering committee of Limmud International.

LIMMUDFEST SESSIONS

The Non-Profit 101 What Every Volunteer, Board Member, Funder, Professional Should Know About NPOs in the U.S.

Come learn the basics (which unfortunately many don't know or don't remember). We'll review: 501(c)3, 990s, legal, fundraising, basic financials, how to find foundations that may support your organization, how to discover inroads to foundations. We'll also review different ways to structure a board of directors. Bring your questions!

Understanding the American Jewish Philanthropist

Companies work hard to understand their customers. Unfortunately non-profits don’t work hard to truly understand their funders. Come get a better under- standing of the thoughts and feelings of major philanthropists, based on a yearlong research project. We’ll discuss how to use your networks to find funders, ask them for support, retain their support, and involve them in your organization. (We’ll also review how to prepare for a meeting with a potential funder.) 

Mentoring: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly (co-lead by Jennie Rivlin Roberts)

We'll review strategies for getting the most out of a mentoring experience, how to find the right mentor/ee, how to break-up a mentoring situation but not end the relationship, and manage other potentially sticky situations with aplomb. Come join a discussion with experienced mentors and mentees, share best practices for creating a worthwhile mentor/ee relationship.

Posted by: jroberts (September 05, 2012 at 1:01 PM) | Comments (0) |


Notes from the ProteJ Nosh & Tell

Last month about 35 community members came out to the Selig Center to learn about Federations's new program ProteJ: Jewish entrepreneurs mentored by seasoned business leaders.

Thank you to all who came out to join us! If you missed it, here is the video of our "opening act" produced by one of our entrepreneurs, Russell Gottschalk, who is the founder and Director of Atlanta Jewish Music Festival.

Posted by: jroberts (July 31, 2012 at 12:26 PM) | Comments (0) |